What is the best all-in-one lens? I will be spending four months in Europe studying and taking vacations. I have never been to Europe before, so I want to make sure my pictures are amazing and something I can treasure forever. I plan to buy a Canon Rebel T3i camera and just wondering what the best all-in-one lens would be for a decent price. I would like to be able to use it for architecture/landscape as well as shots of people. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! What is the best all-in-one lens? I will be spending four months in Europe studying and taking vacations. I have never been to Europe before, so I want to make sure my pictures are amazing and... » Read More What is the best all-in-one lens? I will be spending four months in Europe studying and taking vacations. I have never been to Europe before, so I want to make sure my pictures are amazing and something I can treasure forever. I plan to buy a Canon Rebel T3i camera and just wondering what the best all-in-one lens would be for a decent price. I would like to be able to use it for architecture/landscape as well as shots of people. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! « Show Less
11422
My suggestions would be first the Canon 24-105mm F4.0 IS L and if the price is too much, go for the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM.
11423
The 24-105 L with IS if not too expensive. If you want wide to telephoto lens the 18-200 canon lens would be fine but not as good as the L.
11424
In August 2010 I bought the Canon T21 body only, then the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras for our walking-around lens and Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip for Canon T2i Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package) (never run out of batteries!) before a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and haven't ever been sorry. If you buy the T3i body only, then register with Canon you should be able to get 15% off accessories + $100 off rebate through Jan 7, 2012. http://usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/pdf/Promotions/camera/lens_flash_ir_112711_rebate.pdf In August 2010 I bought the Canon T21 body only, then the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras for our walking-around lens and Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip for Canon T2i Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package) (never run out of batteries!) before a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and haven't ever been sorry. If you buy the T3i body only, then register with Canon you should be able to get 15% off accessories + $100 off rebate... » Read More In August 2010 I bought the Canon T21 body only, then the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras for our walking-around lens and Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip for Canon T2i Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package) (never run out of batteries!) before a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and haven't ever been sorry. If you buy the T3i body only, then register with Canon you should be able to get 15% off accessories + $100 off rebate through Jan 7, 2012. http://usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/pdf/Promotions/camera/lens_flash_ir_112711_rebate.pdf « Show Less
11425
My 24-105mm F4.0 IS L stays on my camera when traveling abroad. It's heavy, but it does take fantastic pictures. Check into the Crumpler straps. I own this strap (http://www.amazon.com/Crumpler-The-Industry-Disgrace-Brown/dp/B001JQ4QCW/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid;=1321633955&sr;=8-10) and it lets me carry my 70-200mm F2.8 IS L around all day without fatigue.
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which canon model are you comparing the d3200 to? t2i? t3i? t4i? for the most part nikon and canon beginner dslr cameras are equivalent, the brand/model won't matter much. they have thier strengths and weaknesses, but overall they're pretty much the same. your best bet is try to go hold a few different models/brands in your hands, see which ones resonate with you. and good glass (lenses) is far more important than the camera body itself, as it has the biggest impact on image quality. so if possible underspend on the camera body and overspend on glass. a good 50mm f1.8 prime lens is a great compliment to the provided kit lenses. which canon model are you comparing the d3200 to? t2i? t3i? t4i? for the most part nikon and canon beginner dslr cameras are equivalent, the brand/model won't matter much. they have thier strengths and weaknesses, but overall they're pretty much the same. your best bet is try to go hold a few different models/brands in your hands, see which ones resonate with you. and good glass (lenses) is far more important than the camera body itself, as it has the biggest impact on image quality. so if possible underspend on the camera body and overspend on glass. a good 50mm f1.8 prime lens is a great... » Read More which canon model are you comparing the d3200 to? t2i? t3i? t4i? for the most part nikon and canon beginner dslr cameras are equivalent, the brand/model won't matter much. they have thier strengths and weaknesses, but overall they're pretty much the same. your best bet is try to go hold a few different models/brands in your hands, see which ones resonate with you. and good glass (lenses) is far more important than the camera body itself, as it has the biggest impact on image quality. so if possible underspend on the camera body and overspend on glass. a good 50mm f1.8 prime lens is a great compliment to the provided kit lenses. « Show Less
774987
Hi Mr. Hewitt (I wonder if we have any relation?) Anyway, for a true beginner (as in you've never used anything but a point-and-shoot) I'd recommend you get a Nikon D40 and an 18-200 VR. Keep the 18-55 kit lens, you'll find it lighter when your just taking snapshots of the family or whatever. The D40 is an excellent starter camera, it has almost all the tweaks of this much more expensive camera without the weight and cost. The D300 has many advantages over it, but I really feel you'll learn a lot faster with a simpler camera, and step up to this when your ready. I actually started out with a D40 a bit over a year ago, it made starting out quite fun. The 18-200VR will follow you as a great lens on the D300 too, and you can use any newer AF-S lenses on it. If you have older AF-D Nikon lenses lying around that you want to use, a D80 is also a good place to start. It's easier to make the custom tweaks you'll learn about in your photography classes on the D80, but it still has Auto modes as well to get you started. Checkout www.kenrockwell.com, especially his recommended camera page. He's a bit more eloquent than I am. And I wouldn't be so fast to recommend the D60 to anyone, it's just the D40x's guts (plus active D-Lighting, but without the other enhancements of the D300/D3) with a different name stamped on it. I wouldn't recommend the D40x or D60 to anyone, they exist to fill a price point to compete with Canon. If your eyeballing either, jump to the D80 and don't look back.
1647403
Sound like you have a nice kit, but does sound like and upgrade is in order For your t3 this would make a great but quit long portrait lens, and a good lens for some sports. Keep in mind though it is not a zoom. One person here mentions the 70-200 f2.5 zoom which is a great lens for what you should consider. I would put it on a full frame body or the 7d. One more thing I would not trade, as I said you have a nice kit. In yur shoes I would spring for the 7d body and this lens for starters. Keep your curent kit for backup. The 50mm f1.4 would be something I would want to great portrait lens for t3 and 7d. Sound like you have a nice kit, but does sound like and upgrade is in order For your t3 this would make a great but quit long portrait lens, and a good lens for some sports. Keep in mind though it is not a zoom. One person here mentions the 70-200 f2.5 zoom which is a great lens for what you should consider. I would put it on a full frame body or the 7d. One more thing I would not trade, as I said you have a nice kit. In yur shoes I would spring for the 7d body and this lens for starters. Keep your curent kit for backup. The 50mm f1.4 would be something I would want to great portrait lens... » Read More Sound like you have a nice kit, but does sound like and upgrade is in order For your t3 this would make a great but quit long portrait lens, and a good lens for some sports. Keep in mind though it is not a zoom. One person here mentions the 70-200 f2.5 zoom which is a great lens for what you should consider. I would put it on a full frame body or the 7d. One more thing I would not trade, as I said you have a nice kit. In yur shoes I would spring for the 7d body and this lens for starters. Keep your curent kit for backup. The 50mm f1.4 would be something I would want to great portrait lens for t3 and 7d. « Show Less
725612
Hello, this is a great lens. I shoot weddings with it but outdoors or in a big church since it is 70mm. If you need group shots or wider shots you'll need a backup wide lens. But the quality of this glass is excellent. I have never used the canon version but I researched it and they both are close with the cannon having a slight edge.I decided to go with the sigma due to the price difference.
405
Thanks everyone for your help. You've explained a lot and it really helps. After your explanations, I looked at my past photos. I'm thinking that maybe the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 will fill my needs. Thanks again.
1955942
I have a canon and it was one of the best lenses I ever used for the price. I bought a canon 18-200 and gave mine to my son and have thought about getting another. I think as long as you get the one for your camera you can't go wrong.
2240581
Thank you Very much for your Help, what do you think about the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II and the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM? If you had the money for only one general purpose lens, wich one will you chose?
284509
It is a good all around lens, however it´s not particularly a wide angle. If you are really into landscape photography and you already have a standard zoom lens, i recomend to go for a tokina 11-16 or a sigma 10-20. I´ve owned the second one, and if you get a good copy, it´s one of the best values in the market for DX cameras.
809642
I went to Paris (and Provence) in June/July. Here's what I took: 2 X Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black) Pentax 14mm f/2.8 DA ED (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras SIGMA 18-50mm f/2.8 HSM ED SD Rokinon FE8M-P 8mm F3.5 Fisheye Lens for Pentax (Black) These worked very well. If you prefer telephoto, you could just go with the tele-zoom. If you prefer wide-angle, the 14mm is tough to beat. The SIGMA 18-50 f/2.8 is significantly sharper and faster than the kit 18-55. I also own the Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras which is a very nice lens; but the IQ on the TAMRON blows it away. And it's razor sharp even at f/2.8 and has almost no chromatic aberation. My latest addition is: Pentax 70mm f/2.4 DA Limited Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras, which is a fantastic portrait lens. I would also recommend a large flash unit; but if you want to go light weight, the built in flash works well enough for most situations (with a near subject.)
1907925
Anytime you can get a Canon L-Series lens, you are probably going to do pretty well. I noticed a lot of the "answers" didn't really address your question, just stated they already HAD lenses. I had NON-L series lenses before buying this camera, and when I had the chance to get the camera with an L-series lens, I definitely went for it. I have not been disappointed. The only lenses I have used that have ever been sharper than this one are the L-series Prime lenses. Otherwise, the kit lens is quick, sharp, has a nice bokeh to the pictures at the low F-stops, all in all, a nice lens. Anytime you can get a Canon L-Series lens, you are probably going to do pretty well. I noticed a lot of the "answers" didn't really address your question, just stated they already HAD lenses. I had NON-L series lenses before buying this camera, and when I had the chance to get the camera with an L-series lens, I definitely went for it. I have not been disappointed. The only lenses I have used that have ever been sharper than this one are the L-series Prime lenses. Otherwise, the kit lens is quick, sharp, has a nice bokeh to the pictures at the low F-stops, all in all, a nice lens.
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BTW be careful not to get too excited about the BIG DEAL. Are you the kind that want to tote around a huge bag full of lenses and change them a lot? Then great.However, I have come to realize that I am just a one-lens-kind-of-girl and if you are too (guy?) then find a really good one with great range. I love my 18-135mm STM (silent for video) and then you just need a UV filter and a small holster camera bag - both cheap to add later. All the extras are not name brand anyway and you can get the cheaply separately later and jsut get what you really actually need.So before you jump for the big deal, envision what you really want to do with the camera and what kind of photographer you really are. BTW be careful not to get too excited about the BIG DEAL. Are you the kind that want to tote around a huge bag full of lenses and change them a lot? Then great.However, I have come to realize that I am just a one-lens-kind-of-girl and if you are too (guy?) then find a really good one with great range. I love my 18-135mm STM (silent for video) and then you just need a UV filter and a small holster camera bag - both cheap to add later. All the extras are not name brand anyway and you can get the cheaply separately later and jsut get what you really actually need.So... » Read More BTW be careful not to get too excited about the BIG DEAL. Are you the kind that want to tote around a huge bag full of lenses and change them a lot? Then great.However, I have come to realize that I am just a one-lens-kind-of-girl and if you are too (guy?) then find a really good one with great range. I love my 18-135mm STM (silent for video) and then you just need a UV filter and a small holster camera bag - both cheap to add later. All the extras are not name brand anyway and you can get the cheaply separately later and jsut get what you really actually need.So before you jump for the big deal, envision what you really want to do with the camera and what kind of photographer you really are. « Show Less
102792
You might want to look at the Canon 28-135mm lens. I shoot with a 350 D Rebel too, and was unhappy with 18-55mm lens that came with the camera. So after about 2 months of evaluating MANY lenses, I bought the 28-135mm and have NEVER looked back. I've had mine for nearly 6 months and it's a dynamic walk-around lens. It's decent macro to wide zoom and has proven to be fast enough to shoot at dusk and in the night to get full moon and fireworks shots. I am a fiend for shooting traffic late at night, this lens is GREAT for that as well. It's worth a 1st, 2nd and, 3rd look if you are in the market for great moderate priced lenses. You might want to look at the Canon 28-135mm lens. I shoot with a 350 D Rebel too, and was unhappy with 18-55mm lens that came with the camera. So after about 2 months of evaluating MANY lenses, I bought the 28-135mm and have NEVER looked back. I've had mine for nearly 6 months and it's a dynamic walk-around lens. It's decent macro to wide zoom and has proven to be fast enough to shoot at dusk and in the night to get full moon and fireworks shots. I am a fiend for shooting traffic late at night, this lens is GREAT for that as well. It's worth a 1st, 2nd and, 3rd look... » Read More You might want to look at the Canon 28-135mm lens. I shoot with a 350 D Rebel too, and was unhappy with 18-55mm lens that came with the camera. So after about 2 months of evaluating MANY lenses, I bought the 28-135mm and have NEVER looked back. I've had mine for nearly 6 months and it's a dynamic walk-around lens. It's decent macro to wide zoom and has proven to be fast enough to shoot at dusk and in the night to get full moon and fireworks shots. I am a fiend for shooting traffic late at night, this lens is GREAT for that as well. It's worth a 1st, 2nd and, 3rd look if you are in the market for great moderate priced lenses. « Show Less
182305
I second the recommendation for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. It is about the only inexpensive lens that will perform up to the capabilities of the T1i sensor. and/orThe Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Auto Focus Lens - Refurbished is the kit lens that normally comes with the T1i. Buying it refurbished will save you about $20.
1129944
It is better for me to carry only one lens for wide angle and telescope. I love it. Price going down, because D5300 in coming to the market.
2097084
I highly recommend that you purchase all three lens that are available for the camera. Each has a different purpose for the type of photo you may want to take. Whether it may be scenery, portrait, or close up.
2011961
I hvae had my Canon 24-105mm f/4 L lens for about three years now, and it's the best and most versatile lens I have ever owned. it was recommended to me independently by two photographer friends, one in the UK, the other in the USA. I have travelled extensively with it to Eastern & Wetsren Europe, using it as my only lens (leaving my 70-300mm and 10-22mm Canon lenses behind to save on weight). Using a high ISO and high shutter speed, the lens is so good that I don't really need a telephoto lens, as cropping considerably to blow up a photo still gives great clarity. The macro part of the lens is excellent. A 17-40mm lens would be very restricting as a general walkabout lens, and I've always reckoned 105mm as being a good focal length for portraits. I do a lot of street people shots where speed is of the essence, and it's a very fast & responsive lens. The zoom is very smooth and responsive. It's not cheap, but to me it's been worth every penny. I use it on my Canon 7D.